山田屋 (Yamadaya)

Yamadaya's onsen is usually only open to guests staying at the ryokan, but because of the onsen festival they opened their baths to a limited number of "outsiders". I was invited by fellow Onsen Meijin Mr. Okamoto of the Beppu Tourist Info Office, to go and bathe here.

When we arrived people were already lining up and we had to wait for about half an hour before it was our turn. The spring water was very nice. Like all the baths in Myōban it contains a lot of sulphur. Mr. Okamoto suggested tasting the water and I was surprised to find out the taste is very sour.